RPMs/Power Drops

[doberdann1019]

I tried to buy a new battery the other day but autozone did not have the right one. I read somewhere else on this forum that a weak battery could impact the performance of the fuel pump.

As far as checking relays, fuses and sensors I hope to be able to tonight. Just haven't had the time to unfortunately.

I have still been riding it and yesterday I had no problems on my 7 mile ride home from work (to add to the confusion). I wish I could figure out what riding conditions causes it but still seems random.

I should have an update tonight!

 

[ztied]

Can you hear if the fuel pump is running when it dies

 

[wrnglrx]

stick with harley batteries. I learned the hard way. went through 3 brands just to figure out the damn factory battery was the best option. I know they are expensive but it still runs strong 3 yrs later.

 

[doberdann1019]

Well I checked all the fuses and relays last night and everything looked good. I also got a new battery, I tried autozone and a local cycle shop but they did not have the right battery so I just went to harley and picked one up. Rode into work this morning (only 5 miles) and didn't have any problems. I will have to give it some more miles to see if the battery was the problem. Hope its fixed, but I am skeptical.

 

[doberdann1019]

Can you hear if the fuel pump is running when it dies

Well I have not let the bike actually die/stall out. Whenever it happens I pull in the clutch and rev the throttle which get the bike back to normal. Also I am not sure I would know what the fuel pump would sound like.

 

[Matteson]

Your probably good now. See it wasn't that bad.

 

[doberdann1019]

Well we have not had the best weather so I've only put about 30 miles on the new battery and no signs of the problem. Maybe the battery was the issue, once I get to 100 miles with no problems I will be convinced.

 

[Matteson]

You should be good. Stay optimistic.[smirk]

 

[doberdann1019]

Well the battery was not the problem. This morning on my 7 mile ride to work the RPMs were falling literally the entire ride. I would lose power then pull in the clutch, rev the throttle then release the clutch and continue riding, then 2-4 seconds later it would happen again. This happened the entire time. Super frustrating way to ride... I think I will look into the O2 sensor next.

 

[Matteson]

Sorry to hear that bro.

 

[Blastonia]

There has been alot of fuel issues with other bikes that are related to the ethanol that is being added. If its over 15 percent alot of bikes wont run right. I have a buddy who works at a refinery and he says they often over blend it. BMW's are having issues wheere they die for no reason. This has happened to me a handful of time so far. From what I understand the over abundance of ethanol is outside the parameters of the ecm and causes the ecm to shut the bike down. Maybe try buying fuel some where else and see if it continues.

 

[doberdann1019]

All summer and for the past 2 years the bike has only got 91 non ethanol gas from fastrac in western and central new York. I don't think fuel is the issue, at least fuel quality.

 

[doberdann1019]

THE BUELL IS FIXED.

I replaced the spark plugs which had become fouled after the couple months of the bike running with the wrong air/fuel mixture. So to wrap it up, I replaced the battery, Engine Temperature sensor, spark plugs (first time), cleaned the IAC, replaced the TPS, replaced the O2 sensor and finally replaced the spark plugs (again).

Somewhere in the middle of all that I stripped the oil drain plug changing the oil which just aided to the frustration. But now its running like a top. All I need to do for the summer is the primary oil and maybe brake pads.

Thanks again for all the help.

 

[doberdann1019]

So I know in May I said it was fixed, well - it wasn't. Symptoms came back. A guy on Bad Weather Bikers found some strange data in some of my logs (temperature and O2 spikes) and recommended I clean all the grounds. I used a dremel and wire brush and polished all the ground contacts under the seat (left and sight side of the seat frame and engine ground strap) and the bike has run great with no issues. I'm about 110 miles with the cleaned grounds so anyone with similar issues, just clean the grounds first. I definitely had corrosion which I could not see until disconnecting them. Thanks again to everyone who helped, especially Readyxb from BadWeB.

 

[ReadyXB]

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